This is a part of my essay on Unit 6, 7.

< While considering the reason for this absence of important challenges to contemporary politics in the western art world, a theory analyzing complicated relations between politics and the media might be approached as a way of finding answers.

Noam Chomsky’s criticism of the media, most clearly seen in his work ‘Manufacturing Consent’ (Noam Chomsky, Edward S. Herman, 1988) could be a reasonable answer in his critique of a compromised media system. Noam Chomsky asserts the image of media seeking truth is in truth, a sham, claiming the mass media’s powerful brainwash effect even under ‘free’ and democratic politics (Andrew Marr, 1996). By questioning the bias in media, he means not only the general case that media intentionally participates to suppress and distort, but also although they do present facts, the context obscures their real meaning. This is the means by which powerful organizations maintain control over the majority of the population – ‘Propaganda is to democracy, what violence is to totalitarian regimes’ (Noam Chomsky, Edward S. Herman, 1988).

Actually, tremendous effects of media in human society and potential adverse influences have been warned by a number of intellects, including George Orwell. It is no accident that in Orwell’s 1984 that ‘Big Brother’ controls all access to media, and history. No piece of Art can exist in the dystopian world without it uncritically supporting the existing power structure of ‘Air Strip One’ (a fictional Britain, subservient to the ruling country Oceania/USA) (George Orwell, 1949).

In both Chomsky and Orwell, the loss of freedom is due to the restriction of sources of information; access to information is concentrated in the hands of just a few individuals, that is so-called ‘authority’ and no other voice is allowed without their permission. The concentration power of a few individuals can be clearly seen in the contemporary art market. As the overly concentrated power in a minority section of society was the main reason for media becoming a tool of propaganda, so to does their considerable influence in art world contributes to formation and structuring certain rules, suggesting a desirable and acceptable model of how art should operate and what it should say. >

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* Examples of media, as a tool of propaganda is found not only in Art Market, but also in our ordinary life.

1. National Climate March

An example — certain events can be gently ignored, or not chosen by Media to report. How come such a big protest held in front of Parliament House in the middle of the day, with thousands of people can not be mentioned in any main stream broadcast news ……..? No news about yesterday’s protest was found on today’s news on BBC. It is just unbelievable…..

All these conflicts, arguments and minority of people who are struggling to raise awareness on serious matters.

But…. why now…………??

I must have been surrounded by all these issues since I was born, through my life.

However, they didn’t come up to me and draw my attention for some reason and I haven’t thought of it too much.

Would there be any particular reason why I suddenly become more strongly interested in these issues, after years of ignorance…? I was once totally ignorant and became a bit interested in political issues, blaming ordinary people for being lazy to care enough about it……. but once again, there was a moment that I realised I was nothing different from those ordinary ignorant people.

Maybe I was even worse since I denied to be a blind, pretending to be an intellectual who cares of important current issues. I was willing to learn and participate in raising awareness but the issues I concern has never been related to irrelevant issues, such as ‘Syrian dictatorship’s brutal violence toward innocent people’ or neither ‘African domestic violence’. I only get engaged with issues connected to my private interests ; or at least potentials to harm myself, the family and society I belong. Individual interests are usually linked to personal profits, or demand of the society where the individuals belong. —— I do not speak up for the society that I have nothing to do with, so that naturally have no interest in.

I started to question Political ignorance and Human nature, about the society- in a relation to the limitation or boundary of one’s political interest. Society is a big stage, where every one speaks up for their own demand and I wonder if I can challenge that ‘usual rule’…….. If I am really interested in political issues, truly willing to participate to make changes on matters, does subject have to be related to my personal interests only? Cannot I fight for someone else’s benefit? Shouldn’t gravity of political conflicts be considered depends on significance of the issue itself…….? Not depends on the power of organisation or society, number of people protesting….?

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STOP THE GENOCIDE ; A peaceful March for Syrian issue.

The first protest I got involved. It was quite pleasant experiences for me, seeing all those people desperately fighting for something together. Also, being almost only asian person in marching people was also unique experience, giving me a chance to think of what I have been thinking these days. ;;; every Individual – representing their views, in their own boundary or limitation.